1 arrested in attempted theft at Fort Wayne post office

More Information

Call with tips

If you have a tip on this or any crime, call Greater Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers at 436-STOP (436-7867).

News-Sentinel staff reports

Thursday, January 3, 2013 - 7:10 am

Local and federal authorities Wednesday arrested a suspect in the unsuccessful armed robbery of a south-side post office in December.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Fort Wayne Police Department's Gang Unit and Violent Crimes Unit took into custody Julius W. Lawson, 34, of Fort Wayne. Lawson was taken into custody without incident and is facing a federal robbery charge, according to Raquel Foster, FWPD spokeswoman.

Lawson is being held in connection with the attempted robbery at the Diplomat post office, 4171 Hessen Cassel Road. Fort Wayne Police had responded just after 3:30 p.m. Dec. 19 after an employee called 911 and said she and her co-workers had retreated to a safe place inside the office after two masked men with guns came in, according to earlier police reports. The police SWAT team brought the employees out safely but neither gunman was found.

A second suspect in the crime remains at large.

It's unclear what, if anything, was taken during the crime.

The investigation is ongoing with the United States Postal Inspection Service and the FWPD's Investigative Division.